US Vice President J.D. Vance has blamed Russia for the stalled peace efforts in Ukraine.

Vance pointed out that Moscow refuses to engage in any direct or trilateral negotiations with the Ukrainian side, despite Washington’s attempts to push forward a political solution.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said, “We remain committed to achieving peace, but as the saying goes: (Tango) takes two.”

He added that “the past few weeks have seen Russia refuse any bilateral meetings with the Ukrainians, and Moscow also declined to attend trilateral meetings involving the United States alongside Kyiv and Moscow.”

Vance confirmed that Washington still hopes for a diplomatic solution, but the chances of dialogue are diminishing given Russia’s current stance.

These statements come amid a clear diplomatic deadlock surrounding the Ukrainian crisis due to Western confusion, despite repeated international calls to open direct communication channels between Moscow and Kyiv.

Vance’s remarks are among the strongest public positions holding Russia openly responsible for the absence of negotiations, at a time when the Ukrainian front is witnessing military escalation and heavy losses for the Ukrainian side, alongside continued Western military and financial support to Kyiv.

Moscow, for its part, accuses the United States and its allies of sabotaging any peace initiatives by supplying Ukraine with weapons and rejecting Russia’s preconditions for negotiations.

Vance’s statement comes amid international anticipation for any diplomatic breakthrough that could save the deteriorating humanitarian and military situation, especially with winter approaching, which usually sees an escalation of operations on the eastern front.